Resource Center
The Transit Workforce Center is pleased to host a curated collection of publications and other materials to assist stakeholders engaged in transit workforce development. The Resource Center includes case studies, training materials, research reports, and other materials of interest, including publications produced by federal government agencies, transit organizations, and independent research entities. Resources may be filtered by topic, resource type, and transit mode. This TWC blog post explains how to use the Resource Center.
We are continuing to update the Resource Center regularly. Please contact us via the Request Help menu option if you would like assistance using the Resource Center or are looking for resources on a particular topic. We also welcome suggestions of topics or specific resources to add.
Content in external resources linked from the Resource Center is solely the responsibility of the resource authors and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of or endorsement by the Transit Workforce Center.

Making Connections 2024 – Creative Uses of Workforce Development Funding – Scalable Options for Agencies of All Sizes
This session about workforce development funding was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: Providing structured workforce development programs for frontline public transit workers is of critical importance for transit agencies as they work to retain employees, integrate new technologies, and fill vacant positions. Attendees of this session learned how to use funding available to transit agencies for workforce development, such as the additional funding awarded under the Low-No/Bus and Bus Facilities grant program, and heard from agencies about how they have utilized grant funds and other FTA funding to develop and implement training programs.
Moderator:
- Karitsa Holdzkom: Senior Policy Analyst – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Zachary Bodle: Assistant Business Agent Maintenance – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 (CA)
- John Bodnar: Director, Office of Transit Programs – Federal Transit Administration
- Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Steve Jovel: Operations Manager, Workforce Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
- Jeff Rosenberg: Director of Government Affairs – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Mauro Varela: Treasurer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277 (CA)
- Kristin Warsinski: CEO – Riverside Transit Agency (CA)

Making Connections 2024 – Conflict Resolution and De-escalation – Models for Operator Training
This session about conflict resolution and de-escalation was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: De-escalation, conflict avoidance, and conflict resolution are integral to an operator’s job. Operators primarily work alone, and the driver’s seat is an extremely vulnerable position. In this session, we honestly and productively explored the ways in which operators can deal with all manner of attacks, physical and verbal, and analyzed approaches to address the range of challenges that come with this profession. Presenters discussed different training models used to support operators with their challenges and engaged with the audience in considering options that can make a positive impact.
Moderator:
- Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Tricia Prince: Safety and Training Manager – Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
- Lakecha Strickland: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1212 (TN)
- Melissa Thomas: Transportation Training Manager – Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
- Lisa Rae Vickery: Deputy Director of Operations Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Making Connections 2024 – The College Connection: Strategies for Effective Partnerships
This session about partnerships between transit and local colleges was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Hiring and Recruitment, Making Connections Conference, Retention, Training
Session Description: Strong partnerships between transit and local colleges across the country currently support recruitment, retention, apprenticeships and other career advancement initiatives developed by agencies and their workforce partners. Presenters in this session reviewed and discussed several different models of industry-education partnerships, focusing on how to establish productive working relationships with local colleges to advance workforce development goals.
Moderator:
- Patricia Greenfield: Senior Director, Workforce Education – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Jason Abbott: Executive Director, Workforce Operations – Cuyahoga Community College
- Celeste Chavis: Interim Chair and Professor, Transportation & Urban Infrastructure Studies – Morgan State University (Baltimore)
- Rich Diaz: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575
- Rob Gamble: Sr Workforce and Academic Strategist – California Transit Works!

Making Connections 2024 – Foundational Skills for Successful Career Pathways in a Changing Industry
This session about career pathways was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: In this engaging session attendees explored strategies for bridging the skills gaps of new hires and heard from presenters as they shared how they identified critical needs and implemented solutions. Participants took part in a working group to provide feedback on national resources being developed in key areas such as mechanical, electrical, computer skills, shop math, and technical writing.
Moderator:
- Kristen Ribaudo: Senior Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Michael Hanssen: Supervisor of Technical Skills Training Washington – Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
- Ona Veda: Manager, Rail Training and Development – Metro Transit (MN)

Making Connections 2024 – Integrating AI into Training Design and Development
This session about applications of artificial intelligence in training and development efforts was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: In this workshop, participants explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize training and development efforts. We explored practical applications of AI throughout the ADDIE model and advanced usages of AI for helping trainers synthesize information from large datasets. Attendees also learned about the ethical considerations surrounding AI in training and how to effectively use AI tools by improving prompt engineering to craft content.
Moderator:
- Arnett Powell: Adjunct Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Addie Khanu: Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Jeff Pratt: Manager of Training – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)
- Michael Tomlinson: Solution Architect – Xpan

Making Connections 2024 – How Do Technicians Learn? Exploring Successful Approaches for Developing Skills
This session about training transit technicians was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: This session delved into the most effective methods for training technicians to maintain today’s fleets of complex technology. We focused on proven strategies, such as starting with the fundamentals and progressing to hands-on training. Additionally, we discussed the value of mentorship and apprenticeship to facilitate the retention of the trained frontline workforce.
Moderator:
- Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Russell Anderson: Director Bus Maintenance Training – California Transit Works!
- Staci Hanna: Maintenance Training Manager – TriMet
- Brian Markey: Chief Executive Officer – Custom Training Aids Inc.

Making Connections 2024 – Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies
This session about innovative and engaging training methods was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: This session was designed to enhance learner engagement by utilizing interactive learning techniques. Through a discussion led by a panel of seasoned instructional designers from varied backgrounds, the workshop demonstrated how to translate material into engaging activities through the use of storytelling, gamification, and real-world problem-solving exercises. Additionally, the workshop showcased a blend of traditional methods and innovative technology tools to create learner-centered instructional experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration through group work and discussions.
Speakers:
- Julie Deibel-Pundt: Program Director, Instructional Design – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Frank Burnett: Training Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Allie Franklyn: Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Kristen Ribaudo: Senior Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Making Connections 2024 – Moving Toward Solutions for Transit Worker Safety
This session about transit worker safety was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Labor-Management Partnerships, Making Connections Conference, Policy and Planning, Safety and Health
Session Description: Transit workers operate in a challenging environment in close contact with the public. Recent years have seen an increase in assaults on transit vehicles and in transit facilities, making the protection of transit workers and riders a crucial goal for the industry. This presentation will feature perspectives from research, transit agency labor and management, and the federal government. Panelists shared updates on transit assault trends, examples of mitigation strategies identified through engagement with agency leaders and frontline workers, innovations in operator workspace design, and models of successful joint labor-management safety planning through FTA’s updated PTASP rule.
Moderator:
- Lisa Staes: Associate Director – Center for Urban Transportation Research
Speakers:
- Lisa Staes: Associate Director – Center for Urban Transportation Research
- Russell Bateman: Training and Education Administrator – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Andrew Falotico: Health and Safety Director – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Alexander Houck: Deputy Chief Safety Officer – Maryland Transit Administration
- Stewart Mader: Senior Program Analyst for Safety Policy – Federal Transit Administration
- Michael McMillan: President and Business Agent – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 (MD)